And be the joys that most we prize, The joys that from thy favour rise!
HYMN LXI. C. M.
Man to join the inanimate creation in praising God. 1 Lord of the world's majestic frame! Stupendous are thy ways;
Thy various works declare thy name, And all resound thy praise.
2 The heavens thy matchless skill display, With all the stars of light; The splendid sun that rules the day, The silver moon by night.
3 And while those radiant orbs of light, That shine from pole to pole,
In silent harmony unite
To praise thee as they roll;
4 O shall not we of human race The glorious concert join? Shall not the children of thy grace Attempt the theme divine?
5 Not all the feeble notes of time
Can show forth God's high praise; Nor all the noblest strains sublime That earth or heaven can raise.
6 Yet this shall be our best employ, Through life's uncertain days; And in the realms of boundless joy, Eternal be thy praise.
Praise to God for his greatness and mercy.
1 Glory be to God on high! God, whose glory fills the sky; Peace on earth to man forgiven, Man, the well-belov'd of heaven; Glory be to God on high! God, whose glory fills the sky.
2 Favour'd mortals, raise the song ; Endless thanks to God belong! Hearts o'erflowing with his praise, Join the hymns your voices raise.
3 Call the tribes of beings round, From creation's utmost bound! Where the Godhead shines confess'd, There be solemn praise address'd.
4 Mark the wonders of his hand; Power, no empire can withstand; Wisdom, angels' glorious theme; Goodness, one eternal stream.
5 Awful Being! from thy throne Send thy promis'd blessings down; Let thy light, thy truth, thy peace, Bid our raging passions cease. Glory be, &c.
The God of nature invoked.
1 Hail, great Creator, wise and good! To thee our songs we raise; Nature, through all her various scenes, Invites us to thy praise.
2 At morning, noon, and evening mild, Fresh wonders strike our view; And while we gaze, our hearts exult, With transports ever new.
3 Thy glory beams in every star Which gilds the gloom of night; And decks the smiling face of morn With rays of cheerful light.
4 The lofty hill, the humble vale, With countless beauties shine: The silent grove, the awful shade, Proclaim thy power divine.
5 Great nature's God! still may these scenes
Our serious hours engage;
Still may our grateful hearts consult Thy works' instructive page.
6 And while, in all thy wondrous works, Thy varied love we see; Still may the contemplation lead Our hearts, O God! to thee.
1 Almighty Maker, God! How wondrous is thy name! Thy glories how diffus'd abroad Through the creation's frame!
2 Nature in every dress
Her humble homage pays, And finds a thousand ways t' express Thine undissembled praise.
3 In native white and red The rose and lily stand,
And, free from pride, their beauties spread, To show thy skilful hand.
4 The lark mounts up the sky,
With unambitious song,
And bears her Maker's praise on high Upon her artless tongue.
5 My soul would rise and sing To her Creator too;
Fain would my tongue adore my King, And pay the worship due.
6 But pride, that busy sin, Spoils all that I perform; Curs'd pride, that creeps securely in, And swells a haughty worm.
7 Thy glories I abate,
Or praise thee with design; Some of thy favours I forget, Or think the merit mine.
8 The very songs I frame Are faithless to thy cause, And steal the honours of thy name To build their own applause.
9 Create my soul anew,
Else all my worship's vain;
This wretched heart will ne'er be true,
Until 'tis form'd again.
HYMN LXV. P. M.
Thanksgiving and praise.
1 My soul, praise the Lord!
Speak good of his name ; His mercies record, His bounties proclaim;
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